Jude smiled at her. “Yes. Definitely.”
“Good.”
“Can you hang out with me for a bit?” Jude asked, not wanting their time together to be over just yet, especially because of his pending departure the next day. “I just need to send a couple of emails first.”
“Sure. Are you hungry?” she asked. “We’re on our own around here for suppers on Sundays, but I can make us some sandwiches.”
“That would be nice.” He glanced around. “I’ll come with you to the kitchen.”
Jude got to his feet, then held out his hand. Angela took it and allowed him to pull her up. He didn’t let go of her hand as they left the library and walked down the hall to the kitchen, which was currently empty.
He settled on a stool at the large island counter, while Angela gathered up the fixings for their meal. Jude watched her for a moment, taking in her movements as she began to make their sandwiches.
“Anything you don’t like on your sandwich?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“I’m a pretty simple eater, so as long as it doesn’t have anything too wild on it, I’m generally pretty good.”
“No fancy mustards?”
Jude chuckled. “Nope. I’m good with plain old yellow mustard.”
“Me too,” Angela said with a smile on her face as she sliced a tomato.
Jude was glad to see that she was starting to feel more comfortable in the home. When she’d first arrived, she wouldn’t have dared to come into the kitchen to make herself a meal without being given permission by someone.
His phone dinged, letting him know an email had arrived.
Though he wanted to keep watching Angela, Jude opened his app and found an email from Duncan’s assistant in New York, who seemed to work twenty-four/seven. It gave details of flight departure and arrival times and information about where they’d be staying in Dubai.
He sent out emails to all the security team members he wanted with them. Two were already there at the estate, but they’d swing by New York to pick up the rest of the team members.
By the time he was done, Angela had finished the sandwich and slid the plate across the counter to him.
“What would you like to drink?” she asked.
“Just water,” Jude said. “But I can get that while you make your sandwich. Do you want water as well?”
“Yes, thanks.”
After he’d filled a couple of glasses, he carried them to the breakfast nook, while Angela brought their plates over.
Once they were seated opposite each other, Jude hesitated for a moment before he said, “Do you mind if I say a prayer of thanks for the food?”
Angela’s face lit up with a smile as she nodded. He laid his hands on the table, palm up, and without hesitation, Angela placed her hands in his.
He wasn’t used to sharing his faith with anyone. Just like he wasn’t used to sharing his life with anyone.
But that was changing, and he was fine with it. Wanted it, in fact.
He said a brief prayer of thanks and also added a request for safety for the team as they traveled to Dubai, as well as those left behind on the estate.
“Have you been to Dubai a lot?” Angela asked as she picked up her sandwich following the prayer.
“We go about once a year, but usually only for a couple of days. Duncan likes to touch base with his company headquarters in each location at least once a year.”
“Do you enjoy it?” she asked.
“Dubai?” She nodded. “Well, it’s a very interesting city. Very modern. Almost futuristic. It’s very different from what I’m used to here, but it’s a nice place to visit.”
